Planning a website can be a very overwhelming experience. I must have sat by my desk with my cursor blinking for hours when I came to setting up my own website. For me, sometimes actually starting something and making the first steps of progress is the most difficult part of accomplishing something.

So here’s a useful guide to get you started…

Page plan, check ✅

I’ve put together a list of all the pages I recommend a business in any industry to have. If you want a website that attracts and converts a paying audience, then this is for you. My top 7 pages that I recommend for your small business.

Home

Well, duh?

This might be the first one on your list but it’s important this page is used effectively. You might like: Five Must Haves for your Home Page. It’ll help you decide what to include on your page in order to convert your audience into clients.

Think of it as your digital shop window. It’s got to be inviting so visitors take a closer look at what you have on offer.

About

This is the perfect place to show off who you are. But it’s also super important to demonstrate to your audience how you can help them out. Really think about what your audience can get from you and your services before you start writing out your copy for this page.

Legal

You need to have a legal page on your business website to protect yourself and your brand.

Head over to The Contract Shop* for templates. They cover everything from contracts through to a privacy policy - such a great website that I recommend to anyone who’s interested.

Portfolio or case studies

It’s your time to show off your work and impress your potential new clients. This page is used to show off your skills and prove the impact you can have on your audience that you’ve talked about on your about page.

Services or shop

Here’s where your audience should end up after getting to know you and what you can offer. It’s where you can make or break a sale so make sure you’re crystal clear on what you’ve got to offer. Services or shop pages should be full to the brim with detail, focusing on the specific problems you can solve for your audience and potential customers.

Contact

If there’s nowhere to get in touch with you then alarm bells are ringing. Are you genuinely credible? Why should I give this person my hard-earned money?

With a contact page it’s easy to control customer’s expectations and set boundaries early on. You can do this by clearly stating when your office hours are and which channels you are available to get in touch through.

Blog

Content marketing can transform your business by opening you up your audience. From giving your website an SEO boost to building credibility with your audience, a blog is an absolute must have for your business.

Not sure if blogging is for you? Take a look at The Benefits of Content Creation for your Business. If this doesn’t convince you then I don’t know what will!

Bonus: FAQ

A little bonus for your website that can be crucial to converting unsure visitors. This page could also sit nicely on your services or about pages.

It’s a place to answer any questions potential clients might have. Put yourself in their shoes for a minute. What do you think will stop them from buying from you? Use this section to quash those concerns.

I hope this blog has filled you with inspiration as you begin to map out your own website and the content you need to include on it.

If you’re looking for some more guidance, I recommend my Squarespace Website Planning Workbook. It guides you through the planning steps for your shiny new website, taking you from clueless to confident.

*Links marked with a * are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these affiliate links, I make a small commission. It doesn’t cost you anything but does fund my lattes to fuel my blogs.